Periodic electric time switch



Dec- 13; 1932 A. J. SHKTER 1,891,017

PERIODIC ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Filed June 19, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 13, 1932. A, J, SHKTER 1,891,017

PERIODIC ELECTRIC TIME SWITCHk Filed June 19. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 BBDD@ D@ 4 CQDDDDDQOQ l O c UDEIUQ 0 O o o QU Dn o o O o UQ 0 O 0000 Oo 000000 O O O 0 Z 0000 OOO 0 3 o 00000 0000 @Do 0D@ DDQ DDD SDU DG 30D DE! DDD D n DEUD U C Dec. 13, 1932. A, SHEKTER l 1,891,017

PERIODIC ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Filed June 19. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nanna GGD El O99 B-DDDDDDDOQ Q O o 00 abbot/M111 Patented Dec. 13, 1932 ABRAHAM J. BHEKTER, F JAMAICA, NEW YORK PEBIODIC ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH Application led June 19, 1931. Serial 17o. 545,597.

This invention relates to periodic electric time switches, comprising parts of special construction and arran ement by means of which the making and lireaking of an electric circuit for any purpose to which it may be applied may be set and controlled for any hour or hours or for fractions of an hour during the day, or the circuit may be continuously completed or continuously interrupted. Thus if the electric current is caused to oper-` ate a gas valve under a hot Water heater, the water ma be kept warm all the time, or the heat may e given 'to it at stated intervals.

The particular formation and disposition of the parts constituting the object of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 represents a 4top view. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the indirect broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing all parts assembled. Fig. 3 is a top view with the dial cover late and hands removed. Fig. 4 is a top v1ew with the dial plate and intermediate late removed showin the `three gear dis s one u n another. ig. 5 is a top view showing t e middle and lower geardisks in the bottom of the casing, and Fig. 6 is a top view of the lower gear disk in the casing.

so the same number is used to refer to the same art.

p Considering the drawings, a top plate 1 of any insulating material, has the customary clock dial markings 2.v The dial plate 1 has the slots 3, 4, 5 and 6, each of different radius, and each being in length one-third of the distance around a circle of the same radius. Thus, one slot represents the distance of the minute hand movement in twenty minutes, and the remaining slots four hours each at different periods of the twelve hours.

. The minute hand comprises three parts or branches 7, 8 and 9, and each part has a finger such as finger 10 adapted to enter the slot 3. The hands are composed of resilient metal.

The hour hand 11 has the fingers 12, 13 and 14 arranged respectively to enter the slots 4,

50 5 and 6. A thumb nut 15 holds the minute Throughout the drawings and description handson the arbor 16 of the clockwork 17. The d1al-plate may have a glass cover 18.

The bowl or casing upon which the dial plate is secured comprises an intermediate plate 19 which has usually an outer formed recess 20 opening upwardly, and an inner formed recess 21 opening downwardly. In recess 20 is arranged a metal ring 22 carried by an annular member 23, as best shown 1n Fig. 2. The ring and the member are both of metal and in metallic contact. The ring is spot welded or soldered to the member, and the member is in metallic contact with the intermediate plate 19 as shown. It will be noted that the ring 22 may be arranged beneath the dial plate in correspondence with the slot 3, as set out in Fig. 1.

Again considering Fig. 2, it will be noted that the intermediate plate 19 has a dependent flange 24 against which is a metallic ring 25 secured near the center of a metal disk 26, and it will also be observed that disk 26 has a raised periphery 27 perforated by spaced holes 27a as shown in Fig. 4 and which will be further mentioned.

In Fig. 2 there is likewise illustrated a middle ring 28 raised near the center of a middle metal disk 29, and in metallic junction therewith. It will be seen that the disk 29 is somewhat greater in diameter than the similar element 26. The periphery of the disk 29 is raised and perforated as described for disk 27. Next to the ring 28 is the innermost ring 30, and the rings 25, 28 and 30 are in movable contact with each other. The ring 30 is mounted near the center of a metal disk 31 which has also the raised and perforated peripheral edge portion. The three disks rest upon the bottom of the metal disk or casing 32. To assure metallic contact of the various rings and disks with the casing 32, a metal cylinder 33 is placed neXt the inner ring 30, and this cylinder 33 is in contact with the bottom of the casing 32 as set forth. It is desired to insulate the hour hand sleeve 34 and the clockwork 17 from the rings and disks, therefore, the insulating sleeve 35 encircles the metal hour hand sleeve 34, and a plate 36 also of insulation separates the casing 32 from the clockwork. A

battery 37, or other source of electric current, and including a local switch 38 has one pole connected with the casing 32 and the other pole attached to the clockwork 17.

Now considering Figs. 1 and 3, there will be noted the thumb shafts 39, 40, 41 and 42 passing into the casing. In Fig. 3 is illustrated a small pinion 43 on the end of the thumb shaft 39 engaging the geared periphery of the annular member 23. The member may be thus adjusted rotatively. It has been found advantageous to gear the member and disks entirely around their peripheral edges, in order that any careless manipulation of the thumb shafts may not result in distorting one or the other of the disks. It may be here stated that while the construction of the raised and perforated rims of the disks is preferable, this invention is not limited thereto, or to the weight or thickness of the disks.

As indicated in Fig. 3, one-third of the upper metal rin 22 is bare while the remainder of the ring has an insulating cover 44.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, the thumb shaft 40 has on its inner end the pinion 45, engaging the perforations 27a ofthe upper disk 26. That engagement enables the ring to be rotatively adjusted with respect to slot 4 so as to expose either one-third of the metal surface of the ring 25 or to bring the insulating covering 46 thereof beneath the slot. Thumb shaft 41 has the small pinion 47, engaging and operating the bottom disk 31. That operation will bring the exposed onethird of the upper surface of ring 30 under the slot 6, or the insulation 48 on the ring may be thus located.

Considering Fig. 5 it will be seen that the thumb shaft 42 has the small pinion 49 on its inner end, and the pinion engages the peripheral edge perforations of the middle disk 29. This engagement will bring the exposed metal one-third of the upper surface of ring 28, the middle ring, into correspondence with slot 5 in the dial plate, or, the insulation 50 on ring 28 may be so disposed.

It is believed to be readily discernible from the drawings and the foregoing explanation that in the operation of this invention, if the metal portion of the ring 22 is exposed below minute hand slot 3, one branch of the hand will contact as another branch leaves the slot, and the current may be kept on continuously. Assume that only a portion of the metal surface of the ring 22, at either end of the slot 3, is exposed. The current will be switched on at suitable intervals by the minute hand branches, and the water may be kept at practically any desired temperature in the tank. In like manner, if the insulated surface of the ring 22 is under slot 3, and the like insulated portion of rings 28 and 30 adjusted below slots 5 and 6 in the dial plate, the current may be turned on by hour hand 11 and finger 12 from ten oclock until two in the afternoon, or any portion of those hours, in accordance with the adjustment of the ring 25. Similarly, the ring 28 by way of slot 5 and the fin er 13 of the hour hand will control the ma ing and breaking of the current during the hours from two o clock until six, and the ring 30 will do the same during the hours from six oclock until ten. Obviously, a great many adjustments may be made by the users of this invention, the operation of which is believed as very easy to com rehend and well within the capacity even o intelligent children.

Having now described this invention and the manner of its use, I claim:

1. In a periodic electric time switch, the combination of a dial cover plate of insulating material, clockwork mechanism, a threepart clock hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, said plate having a slot concentric with the dial plate, the parts of said clock hand having iin gers adapted to enter the said slot, a member arranged below the dial plate and revoluble about the same axis as the said clock hand and insulated therefrom, means for adjusting said member rotatively, said member having a metal ring movable beneath the said slot in the dial plate, and the said ring having a portion of its upper surface insulated.

2. In a periodic electric time switch, the combination of a dial cover plate of insulating material, clockwork mechanism, said clockwork having a three-part minute hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, said plate having a slot concentric with the dial plate, the parts of said clock hand having fingers adapted to enter the said slot, a member arranged below the dial late and revoluble about the same axis as tiie said minute hand and insulated therefrom, means for ad'usting said member rotativel ,said member aving a metal ring movable neath the said slot in the dial plate, and the said ring having a portion of its upper surface insulated.

3. In a periodic electric time switch, the combination with a dial cover plate of insulating material, of clockwork mechanism, a. threepart minute hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, an hour hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, the said plate havin slots of different radius concentric with the ial plate, the said clock hands having fingers adapted to enter the said slots, a plurality of revoluble members having the same axis of rotation as the said clock hands and insulated therefrom, means for independently adjusting the said members, and each of said members having a metal ring movable beneath a different one of the said slots and having insulated surface portions.

4. In a periodic electric time switch, the combination with a dial cover plate of insulating material, of clockwork mechanism, a three-part minute hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, anv hour hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, the said plate havin diierent radius concentric with the ial plate, each of the said slots being in length onethird of a circle having the same radius as the slot, the said clock hands having lingers adapted to enter the said slots, a plurality of revoluble members having the same axis of rotation as the said clock hands and insulated therefrom, means for independently adjusting the said members, and each of said members having a metal ring movable beneath a different one of said slots and having insulated surface portions.

'5. In a periodic electric time switch, the combination with a dial cover plate of insulating material, of clockwork mechanism, a three-part minute hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, an hour hand arranged to sweep the dial plate, the said plate having slots of diEerent radius concentric..with the dial plate, the said clock hands having lingers adapted to enter the said slots, an upper revoluble member operatively related to the said minute hand, a plurality of members resting one upon the other and in operative relation to said hour hand, means for independently adjusting the said members rotatively, and cach of said members having a metal ring movable beneath a dierent one of the said slots and having insulated surface portions.

In testimony whereof, I ax my signature.

ABRAHAM J. SHEKTER.'

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